Yesterday I traded a few miles of downstream progress in order to sleep in comfort but the payoff of starting the day fresh and ready was worth it.

Dave's sailboat in morning light

Alton bridge from marina

Today I had my first experience of locking through on two different locks which was intimidating yet thrilling. The sheer size of the lock doors and walls made me feel like a flea on a St. Bernard’s back. The sight of a kayak in December was a bit of a surprise as one of the lock operators exclaimed “You’ve got to be kidding!“ when I pulled the rope to signal that I was there to lock through. Once I was clear of the second lock I was finally on the free flowing Mississippi and I could feel the pull of the current taking me south. I stopped to take some pictures at the marker where the Missouri and Mississippi rivers meet and sort of regretted the decision because the bank was soft mud into which I sank up to my knees.

Huge lock gates in Lock number 27 the last on the river

Just after noon I passed the famous St. Louis arch and made great time as the clouds cleared and I set up my first camp on the shores of the Mississippi.

We'll be watching your progress here in STL. Sorry we didn't get out Sunday and meet up with you. Hope you have a decent set of cold weather gear because it looks like days in the 40's and nights hitting the freezing point are ahead until you can finally work your way into Louisiana.